Beginning Birding

Two informal classroom meetings and two field trips designed to discover the joy and challenge of birding. In class we will learn how to use the form/shape of a bird, the bill structure, habitat, behavior and other characteristics to group birds into families for easier identification. On the field trips we will experience and learn about the amazing diversity of habitat on the Upper Texas Coast that supports an impressive number of bird species. The field trips are designed to be active learning opportunities that provide immediate practice and experience in the skills needed for birding.

Class Sessions in the Library at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Dates: Thursday, August 14, 2008 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Field Trip Dates: Saturday, August 16, 2008 and Saturday, August 30, 2008 Meeting time and locations for field trips will be announced in class.

Registration: Registration information at the bottom of this page.

Winter Birding on the Upper Texas Coast

It is recommended but not required that a beginning birding class be taken before this class.

The Upper Texas Coast is famous for spring migration, but many people are less aware of the amazing birding opportunities that are here for wintering species. This is an excellent time for seeing and studying hawks, ducks, geese, sparrows, and many others. And we will do just that in this course. Many of the birds that we see will be spending the winter here and this is the prime time to see them before they depart in the spring.

In class we will learn how to use the form/shape of a bird, the bill structure, habitat, behavior and other characteristics to group birds into families for easier identification AND to distinguish similar species. On the field trips, we will practice the application of the concepts learned in class.

We will explore the habitat requirements and adaptation of different wintering species; discuss various identification techniques, bird behavior, migration and other interesting aspects of wintering birds on the Upper Texas Coast.

Class Sessions in the Library at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary: Thursday, December 4, 2008 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Thursday, December 11, 2008 - 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Field Trip Dates: Saturday, December 6, 2008 and Saturday, December 13, 2008. Meeting time and locations for field trips will be announced in class.

About the Instructor

Glenn has had a passionate interest in nature, especially birds, since early childhood. He has been involved with organized birding and conservation efforts in Texas since 1988. In addition to bird identification, he has a special interest-and continues his studies-in the relationships of plants, birds, butterflies, and other insects. He has taught classes at HAS for two years.

Registration

Cost: $150.00 for HAS members and $175.00 for non-members, payable to Houston Audubon Society. Registration is now open. To register, please use the appropriate secure online registration form:

• Beginning Birding Registration Form
• Winter Birding Registration Form